Psychedelic-assisted therapy

Sample Answer

Psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) is an emerging treatment approach that combines the controlled administration of a psychedelic substance with structured psychotherapeutic support to facilitate psychological change and healing.

The goal of PAT is not merely to administer the drug but to use the drug's temporary effects—such as altered perception, ego dissolution, and increased emotional connectivity—as a catalyst to enhance the therapeutic process. It is a time-limited treatment, usually involving only a few medication sessions interspersed with extensive preparation and integration therapy.

How Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Works

PAT typically involves three distinct phases:

Preparation (Talk Therapy): Multiple sessions dedicated to building trust between the patient and therapist, establishing intentions for the drug experience, and preparing the patient for the potentially challenging and profound effects of the psychedelic. The patient's history, trauma, and therapeutic goals are thoroughly reviewed.

Dosing (Psychedelic Session): The patient ingests a carefully measured dose of the psychedelic substance (e.g., MDMA, psilocybin, or ketamine) in a safe, comfortable, and monitored setting. The session usually lasts 4 to 8 hours. During this time, the therapists act as supportive guides, offering reassurance, maintaining safety, and occasionally guiding the patient's focus (e.g., encouraging them to move toward a difficult emotion or memory). Unlike traditional talk therapy, there is often minimal dialogue during the peak drug effect.

Integration (Talk Therapy): Subsequent sessions focus on helping the patient process, contextualize, and implement the insights, emotions, and memories that arose during the dosing session into their everyday lives. This is where the therapeutic change is solidified.